Blood Viscosity
The body produces an excessive number of blood cells, leading to increased blood volume and viscosity. Elevated red blood cell count results in hyperviscosity and increased risk of thrombosis.
Polycythemia Vera
Polycythemia Vera
A myeloproliferative disorder characterized by an overproduction of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in the bone marrow.
Clinical Manifestations
Hypertension, headache, and erythromelalgia (redness, warmth, and burning pain) due to impaired blood flow, dizziness, tinnitus, Red face, burning/itching skin, organ infarcts (heart, brain), elevated uric acid and gout.
Treatment
Therapeutic phlebotomy to reduce blood volume and viscosity, along with the management of symptoms and complications. Hydration. Anticoagulants.
Complications
Clients don’t live very long and die of a stroke or myocardial infaction
Too many RBCs leading to increased hematocrit, hypervolemia, hyperviscosity, and hypertension. Clients with COPD who have chronic hypoxia may start making many RBCs to compensate.
Â
Treatment for Polycythemia Vera HAPA
HÂ Hydration to reduce viscosity
A Apheresis/Avoid Alcohol
P Phlebotomy (removal of RBCs to reduce viscosity)
A Anticoagulants (reduce the risk for clots)/Avoid Iron.